Mercury BA-1

Launch & landing data:

Mission details:

• Test Off-the-pad escape system
• The Beach Abort was an unmanned test in NASA's Project Mercury, of the Mercury spacecraft Launch Escape System. Objectives of the test were a performance evaluation of the escape system, the parachute and landing system, and recovery operations in an off-the-pad abort situation. The test took place at NASA's Wallops Island, Virginia, test facility on May 9, 1960. In the test, the Mercury spacecraft and its Launch Escape System were fired from the ground level and landed 1,000 yards from the stand. The flight lasted 1 minute, 16 seconds and reached an apogee of 2,465 feet (750 m) and a range of 0.6 mile (0.96 km).
• The spacecraft was recovered by a HUS (a Marine Corps helicopter) 20 minutes after lift off and returned to Wallops Island. All objectives achieved.
  Top speed was a velocity of 976 mph (1,571 km/h). The test was considered a success, although there was insufficient separation distance when the tower jettisoned. This was the first test using the McDonnell Aircraft Corp. Mercury spacecraft. All previous test had used boiler plate capsules
• Mercury Spacecraft #1, the first spacecraft off McDonnell′s production line was used in this test. Total payload weight was 1,154 kg.
  
  
• Mercury Spacecraft #1 is displayed at the New York Hall of Science, Corona Park, NY. It is displayed indoors, suspended from the ceiling, with an escape tower of unknown provenance attached.

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Wallops Island. Goldey cover, Credit: #403